FORT SILL, Okla. (July 3, 2014) -- The Fort Sill Commissary offers free store tours so its patrons can better understand food labels, compare unit prices, find whole grain foods, and develop strategies when purchasing produce.
The Cooking Matters guided tours are open to all military ID cardholders, and offered weekly with morning and evening sessions, said Alyssa Densham, Fort Sill Commissary tour coordinator.
"What we're looking for people to get out of the tour is tips, tricks and strategies to really identify how to use their commissary benefit to purchase healthy foods their families will eat while still staying on a budget," Densham said.
On the 1.5 hour tour, Densham took participants through the produce, cereal, dairy, bread and frozen foods sections. The last half-hour consisted of the $10 Challenge, where participants used their newly learned skills to buy a healthy meal for a family of four for under $10. The items were paid for by tour sponsors, and the participants got to keep the food.
"At the commissary, 10 dollars is a lot of food, so it's a great incentive to come out for the tour," she said. Tour-goers also received a reusable grocery bag and healthy eating booklet.
Emphasis on the nutritional value of food was also a big part of the tour and Densham covered the basics of MyPlate, which replaced the old food pyramid.
"We have a big issue in this country with our sugar intake, our sodium intake, and we're not getting enough fiber," said Densham, who is an Army wife. "Those are the key things I focus on."
The DoD's Healthy Base Initiative partnered with Share our Strength to provide Cooking Matters tours at nine military installations across the country. In May, Fort Sill became the second installation to offers tours after Fort Bragg, N.C. The tours will last through December.
In the dairy aisle, Densham explained how saturated fat can clog arteries and lead to heart disease and high blood pressure.
She noted that 1 cup, or 8 ounces, of whole milk has 5 grams of saturated fat, while 2 percent milk has 3.5 grams, and 1 percent milk has 1.5 grams; and skim milk has none.
There is a major difference in the saturated fat content depending on the milk one drinks, she said. And many glasses hold between 10 and 16 ounces, so people are drinking more than one cup at a sitting.
The Cooking Matters tour conducted June 26, included Fort Sill leaders including the garrison command sergeant major and director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, as well as community leaders.
Jessica Nightingale, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt marketing manager in Oklahoma City, said her company is a partner with Share our Strength, and she wanted to see a Cooking Matters tour.
"I really liked it, it was a lot of fun and it was very informative," Nightingale said. "I think it's a great way to raise awareness about nutritious choices in low-cost ways."
Emory Crawford, Military and Family Life Counselor here, said one thing he learned on the tour was that bagged potatoes are a smarter choice over frozen potatoes, such as french fries.
"With frozen potatoes you go for the convenience, but if you really want to save money get the potatoes in the bag ... and they're healthier, too," Crawford said. He added that he does not have commissary privileges, but the principles still apply shopping off post.
Densham said she has received a lot of feedback from tour-goers.
"People say they are really amazed when they start reading the labels and see how much sodium is in the things they are purchasing," she said. "They make some decisive changes by going on these tours, which really benefits their families, and by the end of the day -- Soldier readiness."
FOR FREE TICKETS
Tours are open to all military ID cardholders who have commissary privileges: active duty, family members, retirees and Reserve and National Guard members. Visit http://sillcooking matters.eventbrite.com/ for tour dates and times.
During July, there will be limited tours because of block leave, PCS and vacations, but after that Densham said she plans to provide two to four tours per week, including weekends. Tour information is also listed on the Sill Cooking Matters Facebook page.
TOUR LEADERS NEEDED
Cooking Matters is seeking tour leaders to volunteer at the Fort Sill Commissary. There is a two-hour online training session and a low time-commitment for volunteers, Densham said.
"It's a great volunteer opportunity. You don't have to be a registered dietitian," she said. "We're just looking for people who are passionate about food, healthy eating or just shopping at the commissary."
Contact her at alyssadensham@gmail.com to volunteer.
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